Category: Gear and Equipment

This category features reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for firearms gear, tactical equipment, concealed carry accessories, holsters, lights, safes, and other essential tools. Learn how to choose the right equipment to enhance safety, effectiveness, and preparedness both on and off the range.

Gear and Equipment

Affordable Security & Police Gear Kit – Complete Duty Setup for Just $574.99

Mark Schneider

Looking for the best value in professional gear for security officers or police cadets? Our new Complete Security & Police Gear Kit is the most affordable and fully-equipped duty-ready setup available in the United States. Built using Rothco-branded gear and trusted field-rated components, this all-in-one kit ensures you’re ready for duty from day one.

🛡️ What’s Included in the Complete Gear Kit?

Our Most Affordable Security & Police Kit

This gear package includes everything a new or veteran officer needs to hit the ground running:

  • Rothco MOLLE Plate Carrier Vest – Laser-cut, professional look, MOLLE-ready
  • Level IIIA Soft Armor Panels – 10×12, front and rear
  • Rothco Deluxe Duty Belt (2–2.5″)
  • Hook-and-Loop Inner Support Belt
  • 4-Piece Belt Keeper Set
  • Handcuff Case + Peerless-Style Steel Handcuffs
  • Pen Style Handcuff Key
  • Baton Pouch + 21″ Expandable Baton
  • Baton Pouch
  • Sabre OC Gel – 1.5 oz Can
  • Gel OC Spray Pouch (spray not included)
  • Velcro Badge Holder Panel
  • Name Tag Strip Area
  • Shipping Included to the lower 48 states

⚙️ Why Choose This Kit?

  • All-in-One Convenience – No need to buy piecemeal
  • Professional Appearance – Modular, clean design
  • Budget-Friendly – Just $649.99 including shipping
  • Trusted Brand – Rothco gear is known for field reliability
  • Armor Included – Level IIIA panels, not just a carrier

This is ideal for:

  • Armed security guards
  • Police cadets and academy recruits
  • Patrol officers
  • Executive protection professionals
  • Security companies outfitting new hires

👢 What Else You’ll Need

To complete your setup, we recommend adding:

  • Black tactical pants (ripstop/cargo)
  • Moisture-wicking polos or long-sleeve shirts
  • Non-steel-toe tactical boots (lightweight and slip-resistant)
  • Merino wool or synthetic socks

These aren’t included but can be sourced affordably from brands like Bates, Propper, or Rothco.

🔁 14-Day Return Policy

Not satisfied? Return any unused kit within 14 days for a full refund. Buyer pays return shipping.

🔥 Order Now – Gear Up with the Most Affordable Complete Setup

👉 Click here to purchase the full gear kit for $649.99

✅ Rothco Quality
✅ Armor Included
✅ Free Shipping Nationwide (Lower 48)

🧭 Need Training Too?

We offer full firearms, CCW, and security licensing courses throughout Colorado. Train, certify, and gear up all in one place.

👉 Explore training courses
👉 Contact us with any questions or bulk orders.

Gear and Equipment, Guide, Reviews, Services

My Review of Bowers Tactical – Centennial, CO’s Trusted Gunsmiths

Mark Schneider

I’ve been going to Bowers Tactical in Centennial, Colorado since 2012, and I can confidently say this is one of the best gunsmith shops in the Denver metro area. If you’re looking for trusted gunsmithing in Centennial, this is the place to go.

Mike and Rob run a top-tier operation. Rob is a fantastic gunsmith who has personally worked on many of my firearms—AR-15s, Glocks, and more. His attention to detail, knowledge, and real-world experience stand out every time. One of the most important builds he’s done for me is my Glock 45, which I carry every day on duty. I trust this firearm with my life, and I trust Rob’s work just as much.

Their shop has helped me with trigger jobs, parts installs, reliability checks, and overall firearm upgrades. Everything I’ve brought in has come back better than I expected. They’re honest about pricing, timelines, and what’s realistic. No BS—just professional-level service from people who truly know guns.

Mike brings that same level of professionalism on the customer service side. Whether I’m stopping in for a quick question or dropping off a project, I’m always treated with respect and walked through exactly what to expect.

📍 Bowers Tactical
6931 S Yosemite St, Suite 400
Centennial, CO 80112

If you’re looking for AR-15 work, Glock upgrades, or trusted gunsmithing near Denver, I highly recommend Bowers Tactical. Tell them Mark Schneider from Concealed Carry Classes of Denver sent you. You won’t regret it.

And when you visit, do them a favor—leave a positive Google review. Shops like this deserve the recognition.

Concealed Carry, Gear and Equipment, Shooting Techniques

Best 9mm Ammo for Bear Defense: What Actually Works?

Mark Schneider

In the backcountry, your life could depend on the ammo you carry. While 9mm is not the ideal caliber for bear defense, with the right ammunition and shot placement, it can be better than nothing. This guide will help you choose the best 9mm bear defense ammo to give yourself a fighting chance.

⚠️ Is 9mm Enough for Bear Defense?

Let’s be blunt: 9mm is a light caliber when it comes to stopping a charging bear — especially compared to 10mm, .44 Magnum, or even a 12-gauge slug. But with the right load, it can still offer some level of protection.

The key is penetration — not expansion. Your goal isn’t to cause massive wound cavities. It’s to drive a bullet deep enough to reach vital organs, break bone, or sever the spine.

✅ What to Look For in 9mm Bear Defense Ammo

  • Hard cast bullets or solid copper projectiles
  • Flat nose (meplat) for straight-line penetration
  • +P or +P+ pressures for higher velocity
  • Avoid hollow points — they expand and stop short

🔥 Top 9mm Ammo Choices for Bear Defense

🥇 1. Underwood 147gr +P+ Hard Cast Flat Nose

  • Bullet: Hard Cast, gas-checked
  • Velocity: ~1,150 fps
  • Energy: ~430 ft-lbs
  • Why It Works: Maximum penetration and bone-breaking potential. Built for dangerous game — not just humans.

🥈 2. Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman 147gr +P+ Hard Cast

  • Bullet: Hard Cast Flat Nose
  • Velocity: ~1,100 fps
  • Energy: ~400 ft-lbs
  • Why It Works: Proven backcountry load. Engineered for dangerous animal encounters. Compatible with compact pistols like the Glock 19.

🥉 3. Lehigh Defense 90gr +P Extreme Penetrator

  • Bullet: Solid copper fluted
  • Velocity: ~1,400 fps
  • Energy: ~390 ft-lbs
  • Why It Works: Non-expanding but creates massive tissue disruption. Excellent for shorter barrels and fast follow-up shots.

❌ What to Avoid

✘ Hollow Points (e.g., HST, Gold Dot, XTP)

  • Designed to expand in human tissue
  • Will fail to penetrate deeply enough in muscle and bone
  • May clog and underperform in real bear encounters

✘ Standard FMJ or Target Ammo

  • Round nose can deflect off bone
  • Inconsistent results, not made for barrier penetration

🧠 Why Bears Attack

  1. You startled a bear (especially a sow with cubs)
  2. You’re near a kill or food source
  3. The bear is starving or diseased
  4. The bear sees you as prey

Bear attacks are rare, but when they happen, they’re violent, fast, and life-threatening. Your ammo choice matters.

🧺 Backcountry Safety Tips

  • Store food correctly using bear canisters or hanging methods
  • Dispose of trash properly
  • Avoid surprise encounters — make noise while hiking
  • Carry bear spray, and use it as your first line of defense
  • Use your firearm only when lethal force is your last option

🧩 Final Thoughts: Should You Rely on 9mm?

If you’re hiking or camping in bear country and a 9mm is all you have, load it right. Don’t expect miracles — but know that proper ammo can make a difference. Shot placement, awareness, and readiness matter more than caliber alone.

If you have the option, upgrade to 10mm or .44 Magnum, but if not, go with hard cast or extreme penetrator ammo — and practice.

✅ Train Before You Need It

At Concealed Carry Classes of Denver, we train students for real-world threats — including backcountry survival. Whether you’re preparing for a hike, carrying for self-defense, or simply want to build skills, our courses help you stay ready.

If you ever have to shoot to save your life — even from a bear — you’ll deal with legal questions afterward. Protect yourself with a self-defense liability plan:

  • Legal defense coverage for wilderness incidents
  • 24/7 emergency attorney hotline
  • Civil defense protection

Compare CCW & Self-Defense Insurance Plans Here

📚 Learn Colorado’s Self-Defense Laws

Understanding your legal rights is just as important as knowing how to shoot. We break down Colorado’s use-of-force laws, duty to retreat, defense of others, and more.

Visit Our Guide to Colorado Self-Defense Laws

🎯 Ready to Get Trained?